principally
Americanadverb
adverb
Synonym Usage
See especially.
Etymology
Origin of principally
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at principal, -ly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I knew both musicals principally from their film adaptations.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
Commodities analysts at JPMorgan bank said in a report released Monday that most of the oil passing through the strait was headed for Asia, principally China.
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
This is largely because more than 1,200 amendments have been tabled in the House of Lords, principally from opponents to the legislation.
From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026
Ahmed, though, is facing growing domestic pressure to reduce the steep prices Ethiopians pay for imports, from food to fuel, which principally come via ports in Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026
“Exactly so; that is what principally strikes me. So much superadded decision of character! Skilful has been the hand!”
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
